ONE of Scotland’s most respected journalists, Gordon Airs, has died after an illness.

Gordon was Chief Reporter on the Daily Record between 1971 and 1994.

Former Record chief crime reporter Arnot McWhinnie led the tributes saying: “From following the Tartan Army to Argentina to investigating activities of Tartan terrorists in Scotland and other huge stories in between, Gordon, was a giant of journalism.”

Author Anna Smith, who replaced Gordon as the Record’s chief reporter in 1994, said: “A true legend of journalism, and one of the finest and most tenacious reporters this country has produced.

“We’ve all lost a good pal, who lived life to the full and relished every day.”